Denver Broncos / NFL

Bucs' Greg Schiano says young secondary improving despite struggles

Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones gets behind Tampa Bay strong safety Mark Barron (24) and cornerback Danny Gorrer during the second quarter of last Sunday's game. The Bucs are giving up 315.5 passing yards per game, most in the NFL. (Brian Blanco, The Associated Press)

Facing the Peyton Manning-led Broncos offense would not appear to be a favorable matchup for a youthful Tampa Bay pass defense that has been porous. Entering Sunday's game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the Buccaneers (6-5) rank last among the NFL's 32 teams in passing yards allowed per game. Opponents are burning the Bucs for an average of 315.5 yards through the air.

On the flip side, Tampa Bay's rush defense (81.5) tops the league.

"At times (our pass defense) can be a frustrating thing," Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano said Wednesday during a teleconference with Denver media. "We're a little young back there, and there can be some growing pains."

Photos: NFL

Two rookies start in the Tampa Bay secondary: Leonard Johnson at right cornerback and Mark Barron at strong safety. Johnson was signed as an undrafted free agent from Iowa State. Barron, an All-American for national champion Alabama, went early in the first round at No. 7.

They're joined in the Bucs lineup by 16-year veteran free safety Ronde Barber and cornerback E.J. Biggers, a fourth-year pro.

"We're getting better," Schiano said of the secondary. "You can't for a minute complain about their effort, their work ethic. It's a process. We just have to keep doing it. And it's been my experience that when you do that, you get better.

"I can see (improvement). You can see it on the practice tape. It's coming. And we also could use more pass rush to help those guys out."

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Schiano was asked if problems in the secondary are a result of poor communication or a lack of execution.

"Generally, when you're having trouble in one area, it's not one thing," Schiano replied.

Broncos coach John Fox said Wednesday that the Bucs' secondary plays better than the statistics might suggest.

"Defensively, they've taken the ball away with interceptions (16)," Fox said. "A lot is made of yardage (allowed). But it's about points (yielded), and they're very good in that area. They're very opportunistic. Ronde Barber is a ball hawk. He's been that way his whole career."

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